TOPSHAM

When Brunswick and Mt. Ararat teams get together, there is typically the excitement that comes with this rivalry. Even in American Legion baseball action, the intense rivalry still shows itself.

Such was the case on Tuesday in an early-season Zone III contest, as Brunswick, playing its season opener, denied Highland Green its second consecutive walk-off win, holding on for a 2-1 victory.

In the home team’s seventh frame, Highland Green had two runners on with two outs, but Brunswick pitcher John Parker picked up his 12th strikeout, sixth looking, to give the visitors a 1-0 record.

Brunswick hosts Rogers Post of Auburn at Edwards Field on Thursday, while Highland Green (1-1) goes to Poland on Thursday to face Tri Town. Both games begin at 5:30 p.m.

Parker was dominant throughout, allowing just one hit, an infield single by Griffin Stockford that scored Zach Miller in the sixth inning to get Highland Green to within one run. Parker ended up throwing 115 pitches, with two walks and one hit batsman.

“The atmosphere between the rivals is always good, and we don’t want them to beat us,” said Parker, who wore down as the game went on, throwing 53 pitches in the final two frames. “I was very tired. It is warmer. Legion ball is just so much more relaxed, and we go out there and just play.”

“To be in the game in the sixth and seventh inning is what it is all about,” said Highland Green coach Bob Neron.

Brunswick leads

Brunswick jumped on top 1-0 in the first against Highland Green pitcher Reilly Kons. Adam Casey hustled into second with a double, moved to third on a single by Charlie Lowell and scored on a sacrifice fly by Parker.

The lead doubled in the third as Lowell (2-for-3) picked up an RBI with a single, scoring Brady Larson, who singled with one out.

From there, it was all about the pitchers. Kons, who was touched for four hits in the first three innings, held Brunswick hitless over the final four. He threw just 74 pitches, with two strikeouts.

“Hats off to the defense,” said Kons. “Kevin Carter at third base played solid ‘D’ and we just had one error all game. When the defense is picking you up like that, you don’t have to work as hard. We beat Pastime (11-10) and stuck with Brunswick, two teams that made the playoffs this year.”

Parker permitted just one base runner (Stockford on an error in the first) through five innings. His fastball kept Highland Green off balance, as he struck out two in the second and third frames before striking out the side in the fourth.

“All through the high school season and now into the Legion season, pitching is our strong suit,” said Brunswick assistant coach Kevin Wilson, who was standing in for head coach Luke Potter. “We live and die by our pitchers and John Parker came out dealing. We scratched in just enough runs to get by.”

Parker finally ran into trouble in the sixth. Miller worked a walk, moved to second on a groundball and to third on a wild pitch. Stockford picked up Highland Green’s first hit to drive home Miller.

The Brunswick righty struggled in the seventh, throwing 30 pitches and walking Mike Stewart and grazing Kons with a pitch.

“I was close to pulling him, but he said that he was going seven,” said Wilson after Parker’s 12th punchout ended the game. “You can’t knock an attitude like that, and he has a tremendous amount of confidence in himself.”

“This was fun, and Parker has the best fastball around these parts,” said Neron. “We were hoping he would be a little bit wild and walk a few more hitters. We knew it would be a tough game. Both teams played really well.”

Brunswick, 2-1

Zone III American Legion Baseball
At Topsham
Brunswick — 101 000 0 — 2-4-0
High. Green — 000 001 0 — 1-1-1
John Parker and Bobby Lewis; Reilly
Kons and Cam Cox.
Double — (B) Adam Casey.
Repeat hitter — (B) Charlie Lowell.
Records — Brunswick 1-0, Highland Green 1-1.
Up next for Brunswick — Thursday
at home (Edwards Field) against
Rogers Post, 5:30 p.m.
Up next for Highland Green —
Thursday at Poland High School
against Tri Town, 5:30 p.m.